The National Men's Lived Experience of Suicide Network (NMLESN)
The National Men’s Lived Experience of Suicide Network builds on work from the Roses in the Ocean Lived Experience of Suicide Summit of 2021. The Australian Men’s Health Forum (AMHF) was invited to co-chair a session with Roses in the Ocean specifically focusing on male suicide. At that LE Summit, the Network was established as one small way in which we can do our bit to address the concerning fact that 75% of suicides in Australia are by males.
The National Men’s Lived Experience of Suicide Network (NMLESN) is primarily an online forum for men to connect in the fortnightly drop-in safe spaces. It also provides you access to the monthly Over the Fence Conversations podcast, which if you are a member of the Network, you can also be involved in. We may occasionally meet at conferences or other events where there is likely to be representation. The Network will provide connection, learning, and opportunities to contribute to suicide prevention policy and program development.
What is a lived experience of suicide?
Australian Men’s Health Forum (AMHF) is federally funded as a peak advisory body, and works to create a healthier future for everyone by taking action to improve the lives and health of men and boys in Australia.
We aim to:
- create a safe and supportive environment for the men in the network to meet.
- develop a sense of community, a safe space to talk about positives in life as well as the difficulties and challenges.
- network, listen and support men with lived experience of suicide to create more effective strategies to prevent suicide among men.
- provide the suicide prevention sector, governments, research and the community with a national network of well trained and supported men with lived experience of suicide
- provide a platform for the voice of men at risk of suicide, those who live with suicidal thoughts and for those who have attempted suicide
- support men with lived experience of suicide to share their lived experience in a variety of roles such as:
- contributing to policy submissions in areas that may impact on male suicide
- as speakers at conferences or other forums and meetings
- as leaders of programs that seek to address male suicidality
- supporting and mentoring other men coming to terms with their own lived experience
- support the development of new male Lived Experience champions/speakers.
- be a safe space that some men can contribute without the requirement to be out front playing public roles
- ensure that suicide is seen through a broader lens than just mental illness.
- help grow practical supports in local communities that can meaningfully connect with local men on a peer-to-peer level, rather than ‘professional to client’ relationship.
The online drop-in style safe spaces convene fortnightly, on the second and fourth Sunday of every month, at 1:30pm (AEST).
These meetings are co-chaired by a representative from both Roses in the Ocean and AMHF, currently:
- Tynan Narywonczk for Roses in the Ocean
- Jonathan Bedloe for Australian Men’s Health Forum
Over the Fence Conversations | A Podcast Series
Insightful conversations every month that dive deep into men's lived experience of suicide and mental health challenges!
The casual, opportunistic chats that happen over the fence, so to speak, or between two passing neighbours, or colleagues over coffee, they're just as valid and important as an opportunity to connect and create support.
This month we welcome Scott and Paul from Spoke to a Bloke. Spoke to a Bloke started when their brother and mate sadly took his own life whilst going through some mental health issues. Unfortunately he felt he had no other option and much to their shock and disappointment, no one to talk to.
This month we are excited to be sharing time with Glenn Cotter. Glenn has many amazing insights that stem from his life and lived experience of suicide. In this episode Glenn shares the power of connection that comes from true listening and focusing on giving people space to hear their own thoughts. Glenn covers insights to shift your own perspective on life and many more great insights.
Discover the extraordinary journey of Tony Martin as he shares his personal battles and ultimate triumphs. From the depths of adversity to becoming a beacon of hope, Tony’s story is one of incredible resilience. Learn about his influential career, including his leadership roles at the Qantas Foundation Museum and within the Defence Force. We also explore his current work with Roses in the Ocean. As a proud father of three, Tony’s kids continue to be his unwavering drive to be a kind human.
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You can learn more about Roses in the Ocean’s Community-led Safe Spaces here.
Living with Purpose: A Conversation with Adriel Burley
Join us for a candid and thought-provoking conversation with Adriel Burley, a North Queensland native with a wealth of life experiences. Having lived across Australia, Adriel’s unique perspectives on suicide stem from his own lived experiences of suicide, his personal journey and deep empathy for others.
In this episode, we delve into Adriel’s insights on suicide prevention, the motivations behind his tireless work, and his vision for a significant shift in addressing male suicide. Discover how Adriel’s lived experiences have shaped his understanding of suicide and his commitment to making a difference.
This month we are excited to be sharing some time with Ryan Hassan, co-founder and CEO at The Centre for Healing.
Ryan suffered from anxiety for as long as he could remember and that manifested in many destructive patterns throughout his life, culminating in a hardcore drug addiction. A long journey, has led him to co-creating the Centre for Healing, to help people who have had similar experiences, and is now a qualified Trauma Therapist.
This month, we had the privilege of sitting down with Nathan Bolton, a former Special Operations Engineer who served two tours in Afghanistan. Nathan has faced life’s toughest challenges both on and off the battlefield, including his own lived experience of suicide.
In this raw and honest conversation, we delve into Nathan’s experiences, his wisdom on navigating life’s storms, and the importance of being a good mate. You’ll gain valuable insights into mental health, resilience, and the power of human connection.
Nathan is a passionate mental health advocate and author of “Trigger Warning | A Special Operations Engineer in Afghanistan.” To learn more about his journey and his book, click the link below.
Steve Rothwell is a writer and experimenter who lives on the waist-deep pasture country of the Atherton Tablelands, 65km southwest of Cairns, Far North Queensland. Originally hailing from Derbyshire, England, Steve migrated to Australia in ’86 and set about exploring our remote tropical coastlines by any available means. Initially writing about paragliding and sailing, Steve moved into freelance travel writing – eventually lecturing in journalism at UWA. Later Steve moved into motorcycle tourism and engineering – but always knew something wasn’t quite right.
Steve had spent decades trying to run from his mental health problems and in 2023 tried to take his own life. Soon after, he was diagnosed with OCD, ASD, ADHD, CPTSD, Bipolar 2 with major depression and anxiety.
During a six-week stay in a Mental Health ward Steve describes as ‘revelatory’, he met many who shared his diagnoses and learned new ways of writing about mental health to help others – a practice he has resolved to continue for the rest of his life.
* The National Men’s Lived Experience of Suicide Network is open to men only aged 18+, who are Australian residents.
If you are younger than 18 years of age and would like to join the Network, please email Tynan at [email protected] or Jonathan at [email protected] to discuss your individual circumstances.
Watch ‘Establishing a Men’s Lived Experience Network’ LE Summit 2021 Workshop below
New guide helps men to help a mate
One way men can “make time for mates” is by reaching out to mates who may be struggling in some way. With this in mind, the Australian Men’s Health Forum (AMHF), produced the “How to Help a Mate Doing it Tough” guide.
